If you’ve ever had secret dreams about becoming royalty, through marriage or the discovery of a long lost royal ancestor, then this is the article for you. Not only is London home to the British monarchy and members of the royal family, but it is also a city that’s full of royal history and more than a few castles – with a series of locations both inside and just outside the city which offer the perfect day trip full of regal history and impressive architecture.
Without further ado, it’s time to leave behind the 4 star hotels in Kensington London and explore the castles which connect London with its heritage and history.
Central London castles and palaces
Before we leave the confines of central London and start exploring the areas and castles outside of the city, it’s worth mentioning the array of castles and heritage palaces which you can see, access, and visit inside London itself.
Buckingham Palace is by the most famous and recognisable across the world, with people from all walks of life knowing that the palace is the London residence of the British monarch – and that if the flag is raised, it means that the King is currently home and in situ at Buckingham Palace.
Buckingham Palace is open in parts to the public, with some of the palace galleries able to be visited at certain times of the year. In addition, the gates of the palace are always lined with tourists taking selfies and watching the guards, and the Mall is one of the most famous strips of road in London due to the role it plays in grand royal events across the city.
The Tower of London is another castle-like building which boasts a varied and interesting history, playing host to prisoners right up until the end of WW2 and also acting as home to the Crown Jewels which can be viewed as part of the comprehensive tower tour. Another castle in London is Kensington Palace which is located towards the west side of Hyde Park and is overlooked by Park Grand Kensington accommodation, which is open in part to visitors who want to learn about its history as home to Queen Victoria as well as the more recent occupants Prince William and his family.
All of these inner London castles are well worth visiting both for their grand architecture and the role that they play in London’s history and timeline. But the tour doesn’t end there. Keep reading for information on some of the most popular castles which lie beyond the outer boundary of London’s city centre.
Hampton Court Palace
Hampton Court Palace is located on the outer boundary of Greater London and was famously home to Henry VIII and his multitude of wives – one of whom, Anne Boleyn, grew up in another castle on this list and was eventually beheaded on the green outside the Tower of London.
Hampton Court Palace is one of the more accessible castles for those staying in one of the hotels near Hogarth Road and central London as it can be accessed via train or tube as well as by car. There’s plenty to see and do in and around the castle grounds, making this an ideal day trip – not to mention, it also plays host to live events on occasion with music stages erected in the grounds.
Hever Castle
A castle which is located in Kent just outside of south London, Hever Castle is where Anne Boleyn grew up and is one of the most heavily fortified castles outside of the city. The two moats and the towers at either side of the castle’s main structure prove its role in protecting its inhabitants when it was first built, with modern day tours allowing visitors to wander the castle and see portraits and tapestries in situ where they were placed centuries ago and have been preserved ever since.
In addition to the castle itself, Hever castle – like so many others – boasts incredible grounds and gardens which visitors can wander, from the manicured lawns to the Italian gardens, archways, and flower beds.
Windsor Castle
A location favoured with the modern monarchy, Windsor castle is often considered to be the real home of the British monarch and combines its quaint setting with a truly spectacular structure and an expansive history which makes it one of the oldest medieval castles in the UK. There are some areas of Windsor castle which are open to the public and which have been laid out for visitor engagement and interest, however much of this castle is still in active use today.
Highclere Castle
If there’s one castle which is on the must-see list of many visitors to the Park Grand Kensington Hotel, it’s Highclere Castle – not least because of its impressive grounds and architecture, but because it played an important role in the filming of Downton Abbey.
Interestingly, alongside its role as a modern film set, Highclere Castle boasts a history of its own including once being home to George Herbert, the 5th Earl of Carnarvon who also discovered the tomb of Tutankhamun. Some of the artefacts found in the tomb are on display in Highclere Castle, adding an extra layer of interest and historical significance to the site for those looking to visit.
Bodiam Castle
The final castle on our list is located down in East Sussex and is popular not only for its own history but because the active moat surrounding the exterior of the castle presents it with a kind of fortified glory which means it looks today just how it would have looked many generations ago.
With so many of the castles on this list now surrounded by dried up moats, seeing one which is still active and full of water makes this a particularly interesting site to visit – and a great place to provide a backdrop to your vacation pictures.
What other castles around London and the UK countryside are on your must visit list?
